Fulham boss Chris Coleman managed to deflect Everton’s initial interest, but Davis has today taken matters into his own hands by formally handing in a transfer request.

Davis, who was called into Sven-Goran Eriksson’s senior squad for England’s friendly against Australia last February, believes that he must move to further his chances of playing in the Euro 2004 finals.

“I’ve been at Fulham a long time and now I think it is time I moved on,” he told the Evening Standard.

“It is not a decision I have taken lightly and I hope the fans understand but I am a very ambitious player and I don’t think Fulham have the necessary ambition any more since they sold Steve Finnan [to Liverpool].

“I have made the decision with no disrespect to Chris Coleman, who is a great guy. In fact, the decision was made harder because of my respect for him.

“Hopefully he will do well, but I have to put myself first.

“The European Championships are coming up at the end of the season and I feel I would have a better opportunity of making them by moving to a bigger club.

“I have to think of myself. I want to improve as a player and this is a crossroads in my career. It has not been an overnight decision and I want the fans to know that.”

Fulham would be extremely reluctant to lose Davis, who joined the club when he was just 16 and is one of their key midfield influences.

They will now consider whether to accept his request and to invite offers for a player who will miss the first fortnight of the season in any case due to a medial ligament injury.

Fulham said in a statement on their website, www.fulhamfc.co.uk: “The club is disappointed to announce that this morning, Sean Davis handed in a written transfer request to Chris Coleman, citing his ambition to ‘further his career’ as his reason to want to leave Fulham.

“Chris is obviously saddened by the request as he believes that Sean had a huge future at the club and that his career prospects would have been considerably enhanced playing for Fulham in a pivotal role.

“The club is now considering its options in light of this news and will of course keep all fans informed of any progress.”

Davis is a product of Fulham’s youth system having signed his first professional contract at Craven Cottage in August 1996.

He has developed into a key part of Fulham’s midfield as Mohamed Al Fayed’s millions have taken them from the depths of the Third Division to Premiership football and the UEFA Cup.

Davis has played 131 league games for Fulham, scoring nine goals.

When Everton offered £3.5m (€4.95m) for Davis last month, the offer was rejected, with Fulham chief executive officer Bruce Langham saying at the time: “Our evaluation of the player is at least double that.

“Even with that valuation, Sean Davis is not a player we would want to sell anyway. However, as I said before, if any player makes it clear that he wants to leave the club, that puts us in a very different position.”